The purpose of the UN climate change conference in Katowice, Poland, is to discuss how governments can limit global warming to 1.5 degree Celsius as agreed at the Paris Climate Change Conference in December 2015. This figure is significant as it is the rise in temperature above the pre-industrial level which climatologists say will spell catastrophe for life on Earth, including humankind. Speaking at the opening of the conference the broadcaster Sir David Attenborough said that climate change is humanity’s greatest threat in thousands of years and could lead to the collapse of civilisations and the extinction of “much of the natural world”.

New Scientist, 8 December 2018, informs us that the Earth has already warmed by 1 degree and is on a trajectory to warm to 1.5 degree by 2030 and to between 3 and 5 degree by the close of the century. Many climatologists think the figure of 1.5 degree is in fact well beyond the point at which the biosphere can function to the benefit of the life it has nurtured since the end of the last ice age, 11,500 year ago. The high number of extreme weather events over the past number of years, including the floods we experienced in Fermanagh, suggest this is the case. In the season of good cheer this is grim news.

Our response to the climate change challenges should be akin to our response to disheartening news from our doctor about our medical condition. The response of most people to a negative diagnosis is hope rather than despair. The majority determine to abide by the medical advice and improve their health, which for many conditions involves taking regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, spending time with others and giving up unhealthy habits such as smoking or eating too much salt. Medical professionals tell us that the most common reaction of people who receive the dreadful news that they have a very limited life-span is not one of resignation, self-pity or despondency but of determination to make the most of what precious time they have left.

A percentage of people will deny the results of medical tests and live as if a negative diagnose was not made. This is the response of the Trump administration to the science of climate change. To the embarrassment of many the US official delegation to the Katowice talks tried to persuade the conference that the remedial response to the warming of the planet was for the world to burn more coal and other carbon emission fuels. Essentially their proposed cure was to ingest more poison.

A defining feature of the human experience is ‘relationship’. We are born out of a relationship and are imbedded in a diverse range of them until we die, and beyond if we consider funeral rites. A good life is based on good relationships and unless we are delusional, or simply don’t care, we should acknowledge our relationship with the biosphere which sustains us. The Eco Candle which was on display in St Macartin’s Cathedral and is presently on display in St Michael’s Church until December 14th serves to remind us of this. It is not too late to improve our relationship with the Earth starting with an eco-friendly Christmas as well as making, and sticking to, eco-friendly New Year resolutions. We are the hope our descendants depend upon.